Definition of Assistive Technology with Alabama law and examples

2. Explanation of Assistive
Technology
According to the United States Assistive Technology Act
of 1998, assistive technology (also called adaptive
technology) refers to any "product, device, or
equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or
customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or
improve the functional capabilities of a child with
disabilities.” It also includes the process used in
selecting, locating, and using them. Assistive
technology is a term that includes assistive, adaptive,
and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities.

3. Explanation of Assistive
Technology
The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
Act defines assistive technology into two parts: assistive
technology device and assistive technology service.
1. Assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment,
or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf,
modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or
improve the capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
2. Assistive technology service means any service that directly
assists a person with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use
of an assistive technology device. This includes assistive
technology evaluations, equipment maintenance, technical
assistance, demonstration and/or training.

4. Explanation of Assistive
Technology
Thus, any tool that
helps students with
disabilities do things
independently and
with ease is assistive
technology.

5. Alabama Law and
Assistive Technology
• Federal and state law requires an IEP Team to consider a
child's need for Assistive Technology if that child has any
disability that would hinder them from adequate use and
access to
• Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) provides
advocacy services to persons with disabilities who need
assistive technology devices and/or assistive technology
services.
• The Alabama Assistive Technology Program (STAR) seeks
to increase the provision of, access to, and funding for
assistive technology.

6. What are the different types
of Assistive Technology?
Hearing Impaired
Seeing Impaired
Learning Disabled
Physical Disabled

7. Assistive Technology for
the Hearing Impaired
Hearing Assistive Technology is
technology that can help in
various listening situations.
Hearing aids and implants are
common examples of technologies
that are designed to help people
with hearing loss. These are
designed to enhance telephone
communication, TV reception and
to ensure an effective method of
communication.

9. Assistive Technology for
the Seeing Impaired
Assistive technology helps
students who are visually
impaired increase their access
to the general curriculum and
improve their academic
performance. Closed circuit
magnification is a device that
enlarges words and pictures on
a screen that makes them
easier to view.

10. Assistive Technology for
the Learning Disabled
Students with learning disabilities often have difficulty with
skills such as reading, listening, spelling, writing, or
organizing information. Appropriate assistive
technology can make those tasks easier and allow a student
to feel a sense of accomplishment. Programmable
keyboards have special
overlays that customize
the appearance and
function of a standard
keyboard. Students who have LD or have trouble typing may
benefit from customization that reduces input choices, groups
keys by color/location, and adds graphics to aid
comprehension.

11. Assistive Technology for
the Physically Disabled
Assistive technology can enable
young children with disabilities to
participate more fully in play,
communication, learning and
other meaningful activities.
Individuals with physical
disabilities that affect movement
can use mobility aids, such as
wheelchairs, scooters, walkers,
canes, crutches, prosthetic
devices, and orthotic devices, to
enhance their mobility.

12. References
An Overview of Assistive Technology | Assistive Technology | At School. (n.d.). National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Retrieved January 21, 2015, from http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-
education/overview-assistive-technology
Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview. (n.d.). GreatSchools. Retrieved January 20, 2015, from
http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistivetechnology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-
learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs
Assistive technology on Pin Interest [Image]. (2014). Retrieved January 20, 2015, from https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/236x/01/bb/71/01bb714602938154fd1063190266bf9e.jpg
Cara. (2011, March 4). Assistive-technology [Image]. (n.d.)Retrieved from http://stimr.blogspot.com/2011/03/assistive-
technology-for-special-needs.html
Chrystal Vision Adaptive Technology. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.christal-vision.com/products/images/ocr/vision-3.jpg
Learning Assistance Center-Pasadena. [Image]. Retrieved from
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxPXAEDCxp6Zx3bPVaq0UZdvJSrwB-7Ng2kye5q2RCT8apVcFizw

13. References (continued)
Richards, S. (n.d.). Assistive technology for special needs students [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.slideshare.net/shanerichards/assistive-technology-for-special-needs-students
Rifton. [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.rifton.com/~/media/images/rifton/resources/articles/2014-
images/fundingassistivetechnologypapers.jpg?la=en
U S Department of Education. (2013). IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004. Retrieved from
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,statute,I,A,602,1,
University of Alabama. (n.d.). Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program. Retrieved from http://adap.net/adap-pubs.html